"We leveraged the expansive knowledge of Mac-OU INC staff members in how to structure the merger deal," says John Swiatek, CEO of Coliant. "Mac-OU INC is also offering continuous ongoing support to assist with additional funding, such as recent Business Accelerator Funds which have allowed for us to bring on a consultant to assist with Department of Defense customer development. It's opening up many new doors."

Are you or your company seeking an intern or employee? Oakland University Career Services has generously offered the opportunity for Mac-OU INC clients to have access to the OU career fairs and the multitude of potential candidates for employment.

Both of the September career fairs proved to be a great benefit to our client companies. With one focusing on students from the School of Business Administration and the College of Arts and Sciences and the other focusing on Engineering and IT, multiple client companies were able to locate potential candidates for their open positions.

This new offering supports one of our main goals at Mac-OU INC - to create and retain jobs in Michigan. If interested in this opportunity, contact Joan Carleton at jfcarlet@oakland.edu or (586) 884-9324. We will sign you up for a spot at the next Mac-OU INC table!

MAC-OU INC HAPPENINGS

MACOMB PITCH 2014 FINALISTS

After receiving nearly 50 applications for the Macomb Pitch competition, we have tallied our inital judges' scores and are pleased to announce the finalists! These eight companies will be competing on December 11 for $23,000 in cash and in-kind prizes!

Social Media Club - Detroit held their inaugural, day-long conference at Mac-OU INC in the month of October. We were so pleased to partner with them on this great event! A big thank you as well to TEAM Schostak Family Restaurants for providing lunch and Absopure for the non-stop coffee and water throughout the day.

SMC - D photos are available to view courtesy of Brendan Ross Photography. In addition, many of the SMC - D presentations are available to view online. If you missed the event, it's a great opportunity to dive deeper into the world of social media!

MAC-OU INC TAKES DEFENSE FOCUS GLOBAL BY PARTNERING WITH THE MICHIGAN DEFENSE CENTER'S INTERNATIONAL LANDING ZONE(featured in the National Business Incubation Association Resource Library for Industry News)

The Michigan Defense Center's International Landing Zone is officially open for business at the Velocity Collaboration Center, home to the Macomb-OU INCubator (Mac-OU INC), adding yet another offering to Velocity's multitude of defense-assistance opportunities.

The AMIC is an international business competition designed to bring together later stage entrepreneurial companies with local, national and international investors, with over $1M in cash prizes. In 2013, 74 venture

capitalists and angel investors judged the competition, providing a great network across the country as well as constructive feedback to help the participating companies in their persistent drive for excellence.

The AMIC was founded by the Business Accelerator Network for Southeast Michigan (BANSEM), which includes Mac-OU INC, Ann Arbor SPARK, Automation Alley, and TechTown. Best of luck to the Mac-OU INC client-company finalists: BEET, GaPro, LogiCoul Solutions and Stony Creek Labs!

MAC-OU INC STAFF MEMBERS CELEBRATE WOMEN IN THE WORKPLACE AT "WOMEN STRENGTHENING MICHIGAN"

The "Women Strengthening Michigan" forum is part of a three-day effort by Governor Rick Snyder to salute the female entrepreneurs and community leaders in Michigan. Co-hosted by Secretary of State Ruth Johnson; Susan Avery, executive director of the Michigan Women's Commission; Terry Barclay, president and CEO of InForum; and Carolyn Cassin, president and CEO of the Michigan Women's Foundation.

From Mac-OU INC, Stacey Frankovich, Market Development Manager, and Andrea Chom, Administrative Assistant, hold up #MIStrong for the camera. This hashtag allowed residents statewide to join the conversation by submitting questions on Twitter.

MICHIGAN DARPA MD.MFP

OCTOBER OPPORTUNITY INSIGHTS SHEET

The Opportunity Insights Sheet is an aid for all small businesses wanting to work with DARPA and MD.MFP. It highlights actively targeted solicitations; open office-wide unsolicited ideas; trend analysis and observations; and notes, news and insight.

The new Opportunity Insights Sheet will be available the first part of November. It can be accessed via michigandarpa.org.

MD.MFP PROMOTES THE DARPA CYBER GRAND CHALLENGE

During the month of October, Mac-OU INC employees attended the GrrCON Information Security Summit & Hacker Conference in Grand Rapids. With the tagline "no egos, no divas, just a good time and good content," this hacking conference welcomes everyone from Fortune 500 executives to self-proclaimed hackers of "flexible" morals.

"Attending GrrCon was a great place to promote our DARPA Cyber Grand Challenge fund assistance program as well as learn more about cyber security issues that the U.S. faces. As an incubator focused on Defense and Homeland Security, it is important to remain current on issues that are relevant to our core focus," Stacey Frankovich, Mac-OU INC's Market Development Manager, says.

Government contractors who come under investigation for any reason need to know about suspension and debarment. Investigations that result in criminal prosecution or civil enforcement proceedings, or that otherwise unearth adverse information about a company's business ethics, can lead to the company being excluded from government contracting. This article discusses the types of matters that can lead to suspension and debarment, the potential consequences, and administrative agreements that can help avoid or terminate a suspension or debarment.

In response to the recent severe storms and flooding, representatives from the Small Business Administration (SBA) have set up locations in Macomb, Oakland and Wayne counties, including at the Velocity Center.

These disaster loans are available to those who rent or own their home and/or own a business or a small agricultural collaborative located in the disaster area. For more information on the types of loans available, the interest rate, terms, amount limits, and other details, visit sba.gov/disaster.

Late in September, the staff of the Macomb-OU INCubator realized the unexpected passing of our dear colleague, Wayne Blizman. We would like to extend our heartfelt gratitude to the City of Sterling Heights for their generous contribution of a sign designating the incubator's primary conference room as the Wayne Blizman Conference Room. Wayne's impact on Oakland University and the entrepreneurial community was profound. The inscription next to the door reads:

Wayne generously shared his vast business knowledge and expertise with our clients, staff and the entrepreneurial community at large. We are privileged to have worked with Wayne, a man with an exceptional sense of humor who brought a smile and laughter to all.

Following Wayne's passing, there is a void which can never be filled at Mac-OU INC. We will continue our work to fulfill our mission in honor of, and tribute to, the memory of Wayne Blizman.

PARTNER HAPPENINGS

GOLDMAN SACHS 10,000 SMALL BUSINESSES IN SOUTHEAST MICHIGAN

Goldman Sachs 10,000 Small Businesses is a $500 million investment to help entrepreneurs create jobs and economic opportunity by providing them with greater access to education, financial capital and business support services. The program currently operates in 17 markets in the U.S. through a network of more than 90 academic and community partners and the program continues to expand on a city-by-city basis.­­­­­­

MiQuest's vision is to make Michigan THE state of entrepreneurship. To help achieve this ambitious vision for Michigan, MiQuest is hosting competitions and other opportunities, so entrepreneurs can get the proper tools for growth including media exposure, funding and access to issue-resolution experts. Growing Michigan's culture of entrepreneurship will be the catalyst for more opportunity, prosperity, critical thinking and self-reliance for everyone. Current opportunities are available for growth-stage, emerging, and high-tech startup companies.